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Kia gives UK buyers Soul Tempest

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Crossover, Kia, South Korea

Kia Soul Tempest - Click above to enlarge

The first thing you need to know about Kia's new Great Britain-only Soul Tempest is that it's part of a series of Souls called "Originals," limited edition Kia Souls that get rotated in and out with the seasons. For instance, last season's Soul Original was the Samba, with the Shaker and Burner before it. And what is/was the last one, the Samba? Well, for one thing it had Tomato Red paint. For another, the interior was black on black with black "Soul Shine" fabric on the seats. Other than that, the Samba featured a kracklin' stereo coming complete with red LEDs in the speakers that pulsed along to the bass. So, that's a Samba.

But it's gone and now UK customers (and the Irish, too) can get themselves the newest Soul, an Original called Tempest. And just like with the Samba, what makes a Tempest? Glad you asked. The Tempest ditches the Samba's deep red for Titanium Silver set off by "high-gloss black" bumper inserts and wing mirrors. It also rides around on 18" wheels, however our colleagues over at Top Gear recommend against the big wheels.

Inside you still get the "Soul Shine" black seat trim, but in the Tempest its contrasted against a metallic center console and chrome instrument panel accents. You also get some more premium appointments like found on the Shaker - namely a reverse backup camera system along with more speakers and subwoofers. The Brits also have their choice of diesel or good old gasoline. While we'll (probably) never get a series like Originals here in the States, we do think it's pretty cool that Kia's doing special edition cars that cost under $20,000. Especially for the people buying them. Hit the jump for the press release.

[Source: Kia]

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Kia gives UK buyers Soul Tempest originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2008: Kia bears its SOULs

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:37:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Kia

Click above for a high-res gallery of all the Kia SOUL concepts.

The production version of the Kia SOUL is on its way, and is likely to make its official debut sometime later this year. As an appetizer for what's to come, Kia unveiled three SOUL concepts in Geneva that supposedly speak directly to the perceived intentions and personalities of its buyers.

The first of the three concepts shown was the SOUL Burner, which takes the Korean automaker's idea of the bad-boy lifestyle to an ill-informed, urban extreme. From there, Kia takes off a pop-idol tangent with its "Diva" model, which purports to be sporting a more feminine, yet edgy appearance. We're not sure about how someone of the female gender would feel behind the wheel of a the SOUL, but we're guessing that the gold wheels and matching trim might turn off someone that was upwardly mobile. Lastly, the SOUL Searcher is exactly as its name implies: someone who's attempting to get in touch with the softer side of the automotive spectrum - essentially a modern day VW Camper Van.

All the details about each concept are available in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Geneva 2008: Kia SOUL concepts

Continue reading Geneva 2008: Kia bears its SOULs

Geneva 2008: Kia bears its SOULs originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva '08 Preview: Kia SOUL Burner comes early

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Kia

The product leakage continues as we're packing our bags for Geneva. This time, Autoweek.nl has released images of the Kia SOUL Burner Concept, one of three concepts that the Korean automaker will be unveiling in southern Switzerland.

The SOUL is obviously taking aim at the Scion xB, which took the two-box design to literal levels. This new image gives us the full-frontal treatment of the new Kia people-mover, with a fascia that mixes sportiness with an upright demeanor. It's not bad, although the pseudo-tribal graphics are so 1996. But the raked windshield and shortened D-pillar make it stand out a bit more than the xB from which it finds inspiration.

[Source: Autoweek.nl via WCF]

Geneva '08 Preview: Kia SOUL Burner comes early originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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